Russell and Bryon Scott

 We all knew it would take D’Angelo Russell time, we also said he’s a perfect fit for today’s NBA and he is, the problem is, the Lakers are a losing team going nowhere, so why not play your number 2 pick, point guard of the future so he can learn. 

Also, you draft D’Angelo Russell, you already have Kobe, and Clarkson, you then bring in Lou Williams and keep Nick Young. He’s a player who needs the ball in his hands at this point to show off that amazing playmaking ability, yet you have 3 ball hogs and Jordan Clarkson, who is a combo and not a true point guard. It’s not a good fit. People were comparing him to Harden, Ginobli and Curry, two players that need the ball, they can all play off of the ball but they work better with it. 

The other thing, if he’s sitting for not playing defense as Byron Scott is saying, why are Lou Will and Nick Young playing? We know Kobe is one of the greatest players of all time, no matter how he’s playing right now, he’s going to get a pass. I love Swaggy P, and 6th man like Lou Will just as much as the next guy, but let’s not act like either one of those guys try to play or play a lick of defense. 

I think it will come around but we all know Scott is getting fired eventually…

 We all knew it would take D’Angelo Russell time, we also said he’s a perfect fit for today’s NBA and he is, the problem is, the Lakers are a losing team going nowhere, so why not play your number 2 pick, point guard of the future so he can learn. 

Also, you draft D’Angelo Russell, you already have Kobe, and Clarkson, you then bring in Lou Williams and keep Nick Young. He’s a player who needs the ball in his hands at this point to show off that amazing playmaking ability, yet you have 3 ball hogs and Jordan Clarkson, who is a combo and not a true point guard. It’s not a good fit. People were comparing him to Harden, Ginobli and Curry, two players that need the ball, they can all play off of the ball but they work better with it. 

The other thing, if he’s sitting for not playing defense as Byron Scott is saying, why are Lou Will and Nick Young playing? We know Kobe is one of the greatest players of all time, no matter how he’s playing right now, he’s going to get a pass. I love Swaggy P, and 6th man like Lou Will just as much as the next guy, but let’s not act like either one of those guys try to play or play a lick of defense. 

I think it will come around but we all know Scott is getting fired eventually…

 That spot was clearly KAT or Okafor for me but…

Chauncey Billups was drafted 3rd over all and only averaged 11 pts and 4 ast a game as a rookie. Russell is 8 pts and 3 asts a game. Sometimes guard take time to develop.

Bargani averaged 12 pts and 4 rebs a game as a rookie, but his major injury corncerns from year 5 til now. Porzingas is averaging 12 pts and 8 rebs and playing great, but will he be healthy in future years?

Point is that it is entirely way too early to make judgements. Russell might prove to be a championship caliber PG years down the rode, or he might be Kendall Marshall.

FYI: I put Porzingas in here just as an example of a rookie who got off to a hot start.

 That spot was clearly KAT or Okafor for me but…

Chauncey Billups was drafted 3rd over all and only averaged 11 pts and 4 ast a game as a rookie. Russell is 8 pts and 3 asts a game. Sometimes guard take time to develop.

Bargani averaged 12 pts and 4 rebs a game as a rookie, but his major injury corncerns from year 5 til now. Porzingas is averaging 12 pts and 8 rebs and playing great, but will he be healthy in future years?

Point is that it is entirely way too early to make judgements. Russell might prove to be a championship caliber PG years down the rode, or he might be Kendall Marshall.

FYI: I put Porzingas in here just as an example of a rookie who got off to a hot start.

Him going to the Lakers was the worst possible situation.. You can clearly see it now that he’s dating a fucking Kardashian.. the guy might be out of the league smoking cracking and smacking whores sooner than later.. Sorry T-rex I know he’s your prospect.. 

Him going to the Lakers was the worst possible situation.. You can clearly see it now that he’s dating a fucking Kardashian.. the guy might be out of the league smoking cracking and smacking whores sooner than later.. Sorry T-rex I know he’s your prospect.. 

 B/c it starts at a very young age…. Guys like Mudiay, Towns, Okafor & Porzingus too (in Europe) have been pegged as future NBA players since early High School….. So they develop a maturity beyond their years….. Especialy w/ the media responisbility…..

 I worried about Russell’s maturity level b/c all of this attention developed suddenly (this time last year he was not in the top 60 prospects for the NBA Draft)….. He would not be human if all that positive attention did not get to him a little bit…

 The problem is that when all that positive Attention turns to negative attention (& there are Always bumps in the road)….. it can cripple a person….  B/c Russell is more a cerebral, floor general – he does not have the raw physical tools to go on the court & just Throw down to shut people up & turn negative press into something positive…. He’s a guy that needs time to develop as the team leader on the floor…

 I think in the long run he will be a good player, but it’s going to take time….. If he can get thru this rough start,….  it will be a great lesson learned & propel him forward in his career…. & I believe he can overcome this… But I worry that his coach may not be in his corner (who knows why)…… & if that is true, this situation could really mushroom into something bad….

 B/c it starts at a very young age…. Guys like Mudiay, Towns, Okafor & Porzingus too (in Europe) have been pegged as future NBA players since early High School….. So they develop a maturity beyond their years….. Especialy w/ the media responisbility…..

 I worried about Russell’s maturity level b/c all of this attention developed suddenly (this time last year he was not in the top 60 prospects for the NBA Draft)….. He would not be human if all that positive attention did not get to him a little bit…

 The problem is that when all that positive Attention turns to negative attention (& there are Always bumps in the road)….. it can cripple a person….  B/c Russell is more a cerebral, floor general – he does not have the raw physical tools to go on the court & just Throw down to shut people up & turn negative press into something positive…. He’s a guy that needs time to develop as the team leader on the floor…

 I think in the long run he will be a good player, but it’s going to take time….. If he can get thru this rough start,….  it will be a great lesson learned & propel him forward in his career…. & I believe he can overcome this… But I worry that his coach may not be in his corner (who knows why)…… & if that is true, this situation could really mushroom into something bad….

 Russell is young and needs time to get acclimated and develop. He has not been as bad as people say based on numbers. He is 6th in scoring at about 9 points and only takes 9 shots a game while guys averaging more like Okafor, Kat, Mudiay take between 13-17 shots a game. He is shooting about 40 % And is 10th in rookie efficiency currently. He is not playing great but too many idiots saying BUST he is terrible. He is just not aggresive offensively and is passive to Kobe, Swaggy P, Lou Williams. Watching he also really tries to run the offense and not just force up shots. KAT is the best rookie so far effeciency wise. 

 Russell is young and needs time to get acclimated and develop. He has not been as bad as people say based on numbers. He is 6th in scoring at about 9 points and only takes 9 shots a game while guys averaging more like Okafor, Kat, Mudiay take between 13-17 shots a game. He is shooting about 40 % And is 10th in rookie efficiency currently. He is not playing great but too many idiots saying BUST he is terrible. He is just not aggresive offensively and is passive to Kobe, Swaggy P, Lou Williams. Watching he also really tries to run the offense and not just force up shots. KAT is the best rookie so far effeciency wise. 

 I was going to stay away from this thread but I just can’t.  Prior to yesterdays game (the last time I checked).  If Russells minutes were scaled to match Okafors… Let’s call it PERO, Or Per Okafor Minutes he would be averaging 14.8, 6.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals.  Those aren’t bad for minutes he should be seeing as a rookie, number 2 pick on one of the leagues worst teams.

Anybody pointing to Russell as the main issue here has other motives.  It’s Scott plain and simple.  3 of 7 games Russell hasn’t played a minute in the 4th quarter.  

Yesterday he checked out of the game, the Lakers were down 3.  Of course he never saw the game again, even when the Lakers were down by 18 in the 4th quarter.  

Instead Scott chose to ride Williams, who is currently the worst 3 point shooter in the league when you factor in his attempts.  Scott has been playing Williams every game in the 4th.  

Prior to yesterdays game, when asked about Russell playing in the 4th quarter, Scott replied with a typical, "I am trying to win games" type of answer.  When asked after yesterdays game why Russell didn’t play in the 4th quarter even though they were down 18, he responded by saying "We were down big so I didn’t see the point" or something along those lines.  WTF?  I am convinced that Scott is boarderline retarded (my apologies to the retards on this forum).  

Scott is a lame duck coach, he is trying to stack some wins to prevent himself from getting fired… or ruling himself out of any job in the future.  He is completely oblivious to the fact that he is already going to get fired, and he will never get a head coaching job in the future.

I’m all for sending messages and making things tough for rookies or whatever old school line of thinking you want to give credit to Scott for.  However nobody thinks the Lakers are good, or can win more then 20 games besides B Scott.  

His only goal this year should be to develop Russell, Clarkson and Randle.  If he was playing them the proper amount of minutes he would still have a hard time properly developing them because his lack of basketball intelligence and creativity.  Playing Russell the minutes he has been is doubling down on his retardedness.

The majority of Laker fans line of thinking is catching up to what some of us knew before the hire…. Scott can’t coach, he can’t manage and he can’t develop.  He really does nothing well.  

A lot of fans pointed to Jason Kidd and Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving and said, "Scott can help Russell".  But the fact is those players were successful in spite of Scott… not because of him.

So to summarize, most of the people blasting Russell probably haven’t watched him play… at all.  They are just looking for areas to say "See, I was right" when the truth is he isn’t in the same situation as other rookies, or given an opportunity to fail or succeed yet.  

I personally am not willing to say he will do either yet, though I do believe he will be fine with repetition.  

It would be nice to see him either fail or succeed though at this point.

All this other mental make up or ego stuff is just lazy points trying to cement ones opinion.

 I was going to stay away from this thread but I just can’t.  Prior to yesterdays game (the last time I checked).  If Russells minutes were scaled to match Okafors… Let’s call it PERO, Or Per Okafor Minutes he would be averaging 14.8, 6.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals.  Those aren’t bad for minutes he should be seeing as a rookie, number 2 pick on one of the leagues worst teams.

Anybody pointing to Russell as the main issue here has other motives.  It’s Scott plain and simple.  3 of 7 games Russell hasn’t played a minute in the 4th quarter.  

Yesterday he checked out of the game, the Lakers were down 3.  Of course he never saw the game again, even when the Lakers were down by 18 in the 4th quarter.  

Instead Scott chose to ride Williams, who is currently the worst 3 point shooter in the league when you factor in his attempts.  Scott has been playing Williams every game in the 4th.  

Prior to yesterdays game, when asked about Russell playing in the 4th quarter, Scott replied with a typical, "I am trying to win games" type of answer.  When asked after yesterdays game why Russell didn’t play in the 4th quarter even though they were down 18, he responded by saying "We were down big so I didn’t see the point" or something along those lines.  WTF?  I am convinced that Scott is boarderline retarded (my apologies to the retards on this forum).  

Scott is a lame duck coach, he is trying to stack some wins to prevent himself from getting fired… or ruling himself out of any job in the future.  He is completely oblivious to the fact that he is already going to get fired, and he will never get a head coaching job in the future.

I’m all for sending messages and making things tough for rookies or whatever old school line of thinking you want to give credit to Scott for.  However nobody thinks the Lakers are good, or can win more then 20 games besides B Scott.  

His only goal this year should be to develop Russell, Clarkson and Randle.  If he was playing them the proper amount of minutes he would still have a hard time properly developing them because his lack of basketball intelligence and creativity.  Playing Russell the minutes he has been is doubling down on his retardedness.

The majority of Laker fans line of thinking is catching up to what some of us knew before the hire…. Scott can’t coach, he can’t manage and he can’t develop.  He really does nothing well.  

A lot of fans pointed to Jason Kidd and Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving and said, "Scott can help Russell".  But the fact is those players were successful in spite of Scott… not because of him.

So to summarize, most of the people blasting Russell probably haven’t watched him play… at all.  They are just looking for areas to say "See, I was right" when the truth is he isn’t in the same situation as other rookies, or given an opportunity to fail or succeed yet.  

I personally am not willing to say he will do either yet, though I do believe he will be fine with repetition.  

It would be nice to see him either fail or succeed though at this point.

All this other mental make up or ego stuff is just lazy points trying to cement ones opinion.

most of these "fans" bashing on russell either look at statlines without having seen him play or blindly hate the lakers. if you watch the guy play, there’s a marked difference in how much better the offense flows with him on the floor. he can handle the ball really well, has one of the smoothest jumpers on the team and has ridiculous court vision. it’s clear the lakers aren’t going to win many games this season with their mediocre roster…what harm is there in developing the younger guys and allowing them to create some chemistry in the midst of a lost season?

like magic mentioned above, byron scott is a "lame duck coach", chasing meaningless wins to save his own career. why not fire him in favor of a coach who has the patience and intelligence to develop the younger guys and draw up some offensive schemes other than, "have d’angelo dribble by half-court for 15 seconds and toss the ball to lou for an iso to bail us out".

i’ll admit it’s unfair to blame byron for all lakers woes. to be sure, he’s had to work with terrible rosters and the lakers have had their fair share of bad luck with injuries. with that being said, he doesn’t exactly add many positives either. he’s constantly criticizing his players in interviews, has horrible rotations and most importantly, deprives our #2 pick of crucial minutes.

russell did play 30+ minutes tonight and was on the floor during crunch time. he had a pretty good game, so let’s see if byron will continue to let him play or go back to his old ways.

most of these "fans" bashing on russell either look at statlines without having seen him play or blindly hate the lakers. if you watch the guy play, there’s a marked difference in how much better the offense flows with him on the floor. he can handle the ball really well, has one of the smoothest jumpers on the team and has ridiculous court vision. it’s clear the lakers aren’t going to win many games this season with their mediocre roster…what harm is there in developing the younger guys and allowing them to create some chemistry in the midst of a lost season?

like magic mentioned above, byron scott is a "lame duck coach", chasing meaningless wins to save his own career. why not fire him in favor of a coach who has the patience and intelligence to develop the younger guys and draw up some offensive schemes other than, "have d’angelo dribble by half-court for 15 seconds and toss the ball to lou for an iso to bail us out".

i’ll admit it’s unfair to blame byron for all lakers woes. to be sure, he’s had to work with terrible rosters and the lakers have had their fair share of bad luck with injuries. with that being said, he doesn’t exactly add many positives either. he’s constantly criticizing his players in interviews, has horrible rotations and most importantly, deprives our #2 pick of crucial minutes.

russell did play 30+ minutes tonight and was on the floor during crunch time. he had a pretty good game, so let’s see if byron will continue to let him play or go back to his old ways.

He played better today and was able to set the offense more,  It is amazing the difference when kobe is not being ball dominate, jacking up bad shots.

He played better today and was able to set the offense more,  It is amazing the difference when kobe is not being ball dominate, jacking up bad shots.

 Just watch the games man. D’Angelo is just not confident… and what made him so special coming into the league was that confidence. Since day 1 this guy is just nervous to make a tremendous pass because his teammates are just not expecting it which then leads to his stats looking like he is just a turnover machine and the coaching staff pointing at him while they should be pointing at the offense and the receivers. That has to be directed at Byron. And his role has been just stay at the top of the key run a play and then get out of the way… that’s not how you utilize this kid… And trust me, in college or the nba, having a guy just set a play up and then get out of the way is never a good idea… teams are too smart and will try to force Dangelo to play out of his role. A great coach like Thibs will let you play through your offensive mistakes, as long as you play hard on defense and know what you are doing. If Dangelo makes a mistake, misses a shot, he gets sent to the bench. 

Then the defense is just another story. Scott just really has no idea what he is doing. 

 Just watch the games man. D’Angelo is just not confident… and what made him so special coming into the league was that confidence. Since day 1 this guy is just nervous to make a tremendous pass because his teammates are just not expecting it which then leads to his stats looking like he is just a turnover machine and the coaching staff pointing at him while they should be pointing at the offense and the receivers. That has to be directed at Byron. And his role has been just stay at the top of the key run a play and then get out of the way… that’s not how you utilize this kid… And trust me, in college or the nba, having a guy just set a play up and then get out of the way is never a good idea… teams are too smart and will try to force Dangelo to play out of his role. A great coach like Thibs will let you play through your offensive mistakes, as long as you play hard on defense and know what you are doing. If Dangelo makes a mistake, misses a shot, he gets sent to the bench. 

Then the defense is just another story. Scott just really has no idea what he is doing. 

 No rookie should come in and be handed the reigns to a franchise unless they are truly that talented…

Guys like Anthony Davis dont come around every year and when they do they’ll get the minutes they deserve, Russell isn’t a better player than Kobe/Clarkson/Williams or even Nick Young, so why should a coach be forced to play him when he’s trying not to lose games and keep his veterans happy, Russell didn’t land on a guard depleted team like the 76ers where he would have been given the time and opportunity to grow and play through his mistakes, he landed on the Lakers who are stacked at Guard wheiter we like the Guards they have or not

What are we trying to prove to these rookies by bashing the Coach when they don’t perform well?

Just suck it up and get better in practice, learning some offensive go to moves from Kobe and Lou Williams is all he should be doing, Russell will be best served learning how to attack from the bench anyway, he’s a better fit as 6th man because he can’t defend Guards well and the longer he’s in the floor the more exposed he’ll get…

I like Russell, but dating a Kardashian and pouting about playing time won’t win him any fans or respect, in fact I would bench a player JUST for Google searching a Kardashian

 No rookie should come in and be handed the reigns to a franchise unless they are truly that talented…

Guys like Anthony Davis dont come around every year and when they do they’ll get the minutes they deserve, Russell isn’t a better player than Kobe/Clarkson/Williams or even Nick Young, so why should a coach be forced to play him when he’s trying not to lose games and keep his veterans happy, Russell didn’t land on a guard depleted team like the 76ers where he would have been given the time and opportunity to grow and play through his mistakes, he landed on the Lakers who are stacked at Guard wheiter we like the Guards they have or not

What are we trying to prove to these rookies by bashing the Coach when they don’t perform well?

Just suck it up and get better in practice, learning some offensive go to moves from Kobe and Lou Williams is all he should be doing, Russell will be best served learning how to attack from the bench anyway, he’s a better fit as 6th man because he can’t defend Guards well and the longer he’s in the floor the more exposed he’ll get…

I like Russell, but dating a Kardashian and pouting about playing time won’t win him any fans or respect, in fact I would bench a player JUST for Google searching a Kardashian

 Im tired of reading all of these people bashing on D’lo. It’s only 8 games into the season and he is splitting time with a future HOF, 6th man of the Year, and a first team all rookie. You don’t see Okafor or Porzingis or KAT have any real competition for minutes. He also doesn’t get nearly the amount of touches and shots consistently as all of them do. 

Drafting D’angelo was the hands down best choice. Kristaps and Jalil would have done just as bad if not worse if they were chosen. Neither of them really fit with Julius Randle and they wouldn’t have the lineancy of a D-fish or Brett Brown. Put D’angelo on the Sixers or Knicks and I bet he would be having field days. 

I truely believe that Byron is doing the right thing. This is coming from a die hard laker fan and a Russell fan since his days in Monteverde. He’s going through the same process that Kobe went through his rookie year. If you think D’angelo’s stat line will make you cringe, Kobe’s rookie year stat line will make you tear up. Nothing in the Lakers organization is given, everything is earned. 

And I don’t understand what you guys mean by him having so many turnovers? Have you watched and of his regular season games? He hasn’t turned the ball over more than 3 times in a game starting the regular season.

Look D’lo is slowly going to get more and more minutes over the season. He’s gonna have a lot of highs and just as many if not more lows. That comes with being a rookie. Let alone the dubbed "Future " of the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s not choosing to get this attention as much as you guys put out. It comes with being a Laker. The Kardashian thing was all a media ploy and was fake. 

I know everytone thinks Bscott is a bad coach and every thing, but he knows what he’s doing with D’angelo. Just because he didn’t come out blazing like Lillard, Kyrie and D-rose as a rookie doesn’t mean he’s a bust. Look at where these guards who came in to the league hot are now. D-Rose has attitude problems, Kyrie had no idea how to win until Lebron came along, Lillard is actually in a good spot right now and thats because he came into the league surrounded by veterans as oppose to the others. And Defense? Do you guys remember Steph Curry’s rookie year? Actually, his first couple years! He couldn’t guard anyone and couldn’t go a game without getting his ankles shook. Once D’angelo learns to actually move his feet and gets some tenacity in his defense, I think he is going to be an above average defender in this league because he has the length. (Not anywhere near elite though)

  I know its agonizing to watch but actually watch some Laker games. You literally see D’angelo improve from game to game whether it gaining his rhythme, learning how to beat defenders not just with speed but with actual skill, and learning how to finish through contact. He has a fluidity to his game that Kobe didn’t even have at the age. Imagine what he’s gonna be like at the end of the season, then a year after that, then in a couple years. 

It’s all about the waiting game for us Laker fans. D’angelo is a true player and the game just comes naturally to him, once he figures things out, the league better watch out. 

And if people think that these are the hard times for that young core, think again. Right now its just about developing and helping Kobe ride off as best as possible. Imagine in a couple years when they reach the playoffs for the first time. Thats gonna be a rude awakening and a second welcome to the league moment for all of them. 

Side note: I don’t think Byron Scott is going to be around anymore by the time this core gets playoff bound. And I hope that Jim Buss isn’t either.

 Im tired of reading all of these people bashing on D’lo. It’s only 8 games into the season and he is splitting time with a future HOF, 6th man of the Year, and a first team all rookie. You don’t see Okafor or Porzingis or KAT have any real competition for minutes. He also doesn’t get nearly the amount of touches and shots consistently as all of them do. 

Drafting D’angelo was the hands down best choice. Kristaps and Jalil would have done just as bad if not worse if they were chosen. Neither of them really fit with Julius Randle and they wouldn’t have the lineancy of a D-fish or Brett Brown. Put D’angelo on the Sixers or Knicks and I bet he would be having field days. 

I truely believe that Byron is doing the right thing. This is coming from a die hard laker fan and a Russell fan since his days in Monteverde. He’s going through the same process that Kobe went through his rookie year. If you think D’angelo’s stat line will make you cringe, Kobe’s rookie year stat line will make you tear up. Nothing in the Lakers organization is given, everything is earned. 

And I don’t understand what you guys mean by him having so many turnovers? Have you watched and of his regular season games? He hasn’t turned the ball over more than 3 times in a game starting the regular season.

Look D’lo is slowly going to get more and more minutes over the season. He’s gonna have a lot of highs and just as many if not more lows. That comes with being a rookie. Let alone the dubbed "Future " of the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s not choosing to get this attention as much as you guys put out. It comes with being a Laker. The Kardashian thing was all a media ploy and was fake. 

I know everytone thinks Bscott is a bad coach and every thing, but he knows what he’s doing with D’angelo. Just because he didn’t come out blazing like Lillard, Kyrie and D-rose as a rookie doesn’t mean he’s a bust. Look at where these guards who came in to the league hot are now. D-Rose has attitude problems, Kyrie had no idea how to win until Lebron came along, Lillard is actually in a good spot right now and thats because he came into the league surrounded by veterans as oppose to the others. And Defense? Do you guys remember Steph Curry’s rookie year? Actually, his first couple years! He couldn’t guard anyone and couldn’t go a game without getting his ankles shook. Once D’angelo learns to actually move his feet and gets some tenacity in his defense, I think he is going to be an above average defender in this league because he has the length. (Not anywhere near elite though)

  I know its agonizing to watch but actually watch some Laker games. You literally see D’angelo improve from game to game whether it gaining his rhythme, learning how to beat defenders not just with speed but with actual skill, and learning how to finish through contact. He has a fluidity to his game that Kobe didn’t even have at the age. Imagine what he’s gonna be like at the end of the season, then a year after that, then in a couple years. 

It’s all about the waiting game for us Laker fans. D’angelo is a true player and the game just comes naturally to him, once he figures things out, the league better watch out. 

And if people think that these are the hard times for that young core, think again. Right now its just about developing and helping Kobe ride off as best as possible. Imagine in a couple years when they reach the playoffs for the first time. Thats gonna be a rude awakening and a second welcome to the league moment for all of them. 

Side note: I don’t think Byron Scott is going to be around anymore by the time this core gets playoff bound. And I hope that Jim Buss isn’t either.